The Secret Life of Pets (2016)

Review

91min

Genre:       Animation, Adventure, Comedy, Family

Directors:   Chris Renaud, Yarrow Cheney

Cast:         Louis C.K., Jenny Slate, Kevin Hart…and more

Writers:     Ken Daurio, Brian Lynch, Cinco Paul… and more

-Synopsis-

In a film about what your pets get up to when you’re not around; a newly mismatched pair of city dogs are thrown into a dangerous New York adventure as their fellow fluffy neighbourhood pets try to rescue them, in a family animation adventure from the makers of ‘Despicable Me’ and ‘Minions’.

Since their first major production ‘Despicable Me’ in 2010, Illumination Entertainment have formed a fruitful partnership with director and voice actor Chris Renaud; and for ‘The Secret Life of Pets’, Renaud applies his blend of silly humour and zany characters to the domestic animal kingdom, in a movie about man’s different pets and our relationship with them.

The film features an array of charming critters; from rotund, wide-eyed and ultra cute beloved pets to the more dishevelled and creepy sewer-dwelling abandoned animals, both factions being pitted against each other in the story and all of them playing a delightful part in Renaud’s distinctive concrete jungle.

This large group of disparate personalities is brought to life by the vocal talents of a mixed group of both established and rising American comedy stars; from Albert Brooks and Kevin Hart to Jenny Slate and Ellie Kemper. All led by the great Louis C.K. in his performance as head-dog “Max”; forced to share his owner’s affections with a new mutt, precipitating an adventure across the city which teaches the meaning of friendship and family.

‘The Secret Life of Pets’ is no doubt a charmingly silly and fun adventure, with plenty of comical cuteness and more than enough to entertain the kids throughout, but it’s not exactly an animation that will leave a lasting impression on the whole family.

Perhaps we’ve been spoiled by the expertly balanced work of Disney & Pixar over the years, providing memorable family entertainment which impresses, entertains and moves whilst making a mark.

But although it’s certainly better than his previous animation ‘Minions’, Renaud’s latest is still a fairly one dimensional film; whose quirk and charm is stretched over an increasingly ridiculous adventure while relying on sight-gags and physical humour, and forsaking clever pop-culture references and the crisp dialogue its talented cast deserves.

Despite a few tender moments and a lesson about loving your pets unconditionally; the writers can’t quite produce a rounded narrative with genuinely touching moments or a clear moral message, and the humour becomes repetitive and fizzles out over the course of over 90 minutes.

The Bottom Line…

Although fairly one-dimensional and not quite up to the high standards of recent Disney & Pixar fare, ‘The Secret Life of Pets’ has more than enough comedic charm and irresistible creature cuteness to keep the kids entertained and the adults just about engaged throughout.

Similar films you may like (Home Video)

Madagascar (2005)

A group of pampered New York zoo animals discover the harsh realities of their origins when they’re unwittingly taken to the wilds of Madagascar after escaping, animal nature and friendships get tested in this all-star comedy animation from the folks at DreamWorks.

Directed by  Eric Darnell & Tom McGrath and starring Ben Stiller, Chris Rock and Jada Pinkett Smith among others.

Comments

comments

Comments are closed.